Press release from Balfour Beatty Ansaldo Systems JV regarding the Ipoh-Padang Besar EDT Project

TRANSIT took note of this press release from Balfour Beatty Ansaldo Systems JV, which is working on the Systems Package for the Electrification & Double Tracking project from Ipoh to Padang Besar.

The project, as you know, is a significant investment in KTM railway operations since it will allow a ten-fold increase in train movements – making freight and intercity services more reliable and allowing the opportunity for commuter-rail services as well.

Date: 11th August 2011
PRESS RELEASE
Balfour Beatty Ansaldo Systems JV Sdn Bhd reported today that it has achieved over 20% progress in delivering the Systems Package of works for the Northern Double Tracking Project which runs from Ipoh to Padang Besar in Malaysia.

The Systems Package of works includes the signalling, communications and electrification of the railway line and is the last of the elements to be installed as part of the 329km double tracking project, which is due for completion in December 2013.

BBASJV’s Project Director, Conrad Fawcett, commented “With the majority of the design completed and shipments of materials now arriving, we are now turning our attention to the installation phase of the works. Our Engineering, Planning and Construction teams are working very closely with the Main Contractor, MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, to ensure that we utilize every opportunity for early site access as this will benefit the project as a whole when our installation works are at peak.

We have established three operational depots along the route for material storage and plant maintenance, and we have our specialized plant ready for installation works once the tracks have been laid” offered Fawcett. “We had one or two issues in the early stages with development of design as one can expect in a project of this size and complexity. However these have been resolved and we are fast working towards total design approval.”

This project is part of a larger railway investment by Malaysia to create a modern and efficient double track railway connection between Johor Bahru and Padang Besar, with the long-term objective of establishing a Pan-Asian Link connecting Singapore to Kunming, China.

TRANSIT Says:

We have high hopes for this project, and also look forward to better communications & information sharing with the companies involved in the railway industry in Malaysia.